Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-06-23

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their desire was never known, the glrh
so far as seem showing 10 both Alike
only the natural picAsupe Of all women
AZ being admired Each, however. inn
Hgined himself TO be tho favored one
until, on certain Sunday afternoon,
the Irishman put the question and was
rejected.
OF course his own failure was Inter-
preted by him ns an evidence Of
frenchv's success, against whom he
now began 10 utter threats The late
ter who was not naturally QUARREL
some, had never been thought violent,
but man from Phoebe, who had lately
passed through the canyon, reported
him TO have once killed. gambler in
that place and that he was not to be
fooled with.
When the new gold discovery was
first talked Of, Frenchy had gone to
Salt Lake to try and effect a sale OF
certain mining prospects taken up by
him in tho neighboring Moore's Fork.
The uncovcring Of large body Of ore
In this. hitherto supposed worthless
region had, two years before, caused
considerable excitement, and nearly
every body in the canyon had claim
staked out there which they hoped
would one day prove an extension Of
the big vein.
Next TO Frenchy's most promising
claim was one recorded, on the same
date as his own, In the name Of an old
partner OF his now working in Vir-
ginia City and named the Modoc. As
all miners know, in a region showing
evidence Of mineral wealth, the ground
is covered with stakes or small piles Of
stones marking claims taken up by
different prospectors. These, often
trespassing upon one another, so long
as nothing valuable is found, are little
thought Of. but let any of them develop
into paying property and straightway
its owner is obliged TO defend 1t
against a host of others. II is also
well known that mining property
taken up on the public domain, II II
remained unworked beyond certain
time, reverts back. unless patented,
and may be recorded anew by other
parties This action, known as Jump
ing" gives rise to half the quarrel:
among the miners. for the prospectors,
as soon rs one of their number leaves
the country, are little disposed to
recognize whatever right he may
, leave behind.
Frenchy and his partner had thus
taken up separate claims, to prevent
: others from disputing the ground. in
, both Of which they had an equal share
The latter, now absent some year anC
: a half. had agreed upon his departure
that Frenchy, upon whom would deIenC
: the holding of the claims, should b'
!, three-fourths. instead Of one-hal
owner, and that whatever disposition
. he might make Of the property SHOULD
be acquiesced in by himself
(, One day, about a week after the un
q successful ending of the Irishman'
: love suit, Frenchy, upon going up tn
Fork with Salt Lake expert, was sur
q prised to find couple of men sinkin,
| d shaft upon the Modoc, one of whom
1 was Truckee Dan. Certain the Irish
;. mans action had been taken only 70
~ the purpose of forcing quarrel upol
"a him, and unprepared TO assert hi
| rights, he passed on with his companion
! TO the claim recorded in his own name
!, which they proceeded to examine. Tn
!. presence Of others, however. claiming
u ownership so short a distance ava
n ruined all chance Of negotiation, as tn
" strangers first question had bee
whether the immediate vicinity wa
10 claimed by any one else. All French
ts could do was TO repeat what he ha
,s already told him-that both prospect
~ were alike under his legal control, an
le to assure him Of his own good faith j
m the matter. After brief survey Of Oh
10 ground the two returned TO the mout
l. Of the Fork, the stranger going to th
or stage Office and the other 20 the plac
re where the mining records were KEEP
,e Finding no change in the Modoc'
ownership, and having, with his ow
N hands, the month before done the la
q sufficient amount of work to. as l
Al supposed, prevent it from being ar
h located" he bidcd his time unit
n Truckee Dan should appear in y
. evening. as was his won't at the HeaC
v quarters saloon.
to As the lamps were lighting in Il
n little balloon houses ranged on eaC
a side of the narrow street composin
I the town, Frenchy strobe into Il
n large smoke-begrimed bar-room Of Il
.el headquarters, and passed through Il
w crowd Of by-standers TO the end Of Il
he apartment devoted TO play. where
is knew Truckee Dan was certain TO
,g found. The four men at one Of Il
e. tables, among whom was the persC
lis sought, were arranging their just dea
ce cards as he came up and exclaimed:
,s "Dan, what right have you to
II sinking a shaft on the Modoc claime'
no "By jumpers right" replied 4
tly Irishman, rising; hasn't Matty be,
after losing il altogether the $
m0nths?"
no ''No," said Frenchy. "it's his nc
no much as IL ever was, and wa
N. YOU to hereafter let II alone"
ri "And | warn ye to lave me alone
as said the other, stepping backward
ed few PAGES and staggering perceptibl
-as ''me and me pard owA IL now"
"Dap, you lie, and you know it
Of called nut the Italian. loud enough
IN be heard through iAe whole rool
on n 4 Il n n II N